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James Wisniewski is already familiar with some key personnel within the Carolina Hurricanes' organization.

Wisniewski previously played for head coach Bill Peters back when they were both with the AHL Rockford IceHogs in 2008-09. He also has known Hurricanes director of hockey operations Mike Vellucci for a long time. "He was my first coach in junior hockey and he coached me for three years in Plymouth," Wisniewski said. "We've stayed in touch, played golf together. He knows me as a player but also as a person. Coming to Carolina should be a good fit for for me." The Hurricanes acquired Wisniewski from Anaheim in exchange for Anton Khudobin. Jul 1 - 8:26 AM

The Carolina Hurricanes sent Anton Khudobin to the Anaheim Ducks for James Wisniewski.

Carolina already acquired a backup who could actually end up being a starter in Eddie Lack, now they added a once-coveted defenseman in Wisniewski, who had a rough go of things upon being traded to Anaheim in 2014-15. Jun 27 - 10:36 AM

Anaheim Ducks GM Bryan Murray lamented James Wisniewski's lack of ice time during the playoffs.

Wisniewski saw just 13 games with the Ducks after being acquired at the trade deadline from Columbus, and not a single game during Anaheim's 16-game postseason journey. "The professionalism he showed was outstanding," Murray said. "I wish he’d gotten an opportunity because I know he would have played well." Wisniewski found himself without a job after Simon Despres, acquired at the trade deadline from Pittsburgh, surprised the staff. "I’ve got to be honest, I didn’t realize Simon [Depres] would jump in a play like this. He just took a job. He was excellent." Despres put up seven points in 16 playoff games after six points in 16 post-trade deadline games with Anaheim. Wisniewski, for what it's worth, will ding the cap at $5.5M the next two seasons but only cost $8M in actual salary. Jun 2 - 8:53 PM

James Wisniewski headlines Anaheim's scratches for Saturday night's Game 7 tilt with Chicago.

The veteran blue liner Wisniewski will be joined by fellow defender Korbinian Holzer, and goaltender Jason LaBarbera. All of whom will be seated with forwards Chris Wagner, Emerson Etem and Tim Jackman. May 30 - 5:37 PM

Depth Charts

Jordan Staal lit the lamp and added an assist Thursday night as the Hurricanes beat the Flyers 3-1.

Staal has 24 points in 45 games so far this season, which is right on par with last year's 40 point output during a full season. Staal has not been able to produce for fantasy owners at the pace he was at while he was with Pittsburgh. He'll be a mid-to-late round pick next season.

The Carolina Hurricanes have given Jay McClement a two-year extension worth $2.4 million.

McClement will get $1.3 million next season and $1.1 million in 2016-17. "Jay has played really well for us on the ice," GM Ron Francis said Sunday. "He’s been good on draws and a big part of our penalty killing. He's just the consummate pro and has been a real good guy for us in the locker room and good role model for our younger guys." McClement has six goals and 18 points this season after a two goal effort on Saturday.

Brad Malone's past experience with concussions isn't making him consider retirement of alter his style of play.

The subject came up in relation to Chris Borland, a 24-year-old football player who was healthy, but had suffered two concussions in the past and decided to retire in an attempt to avoid future neurological problems. The question is if we might see ever see one or more NHL players retire under similar circumstances, but if we do it won't be 25-year-old Malone. "It's a sacrifice I guess I'm willing to make," Malone said of exposing himself to the risk of head injuries. "It's one of those things where you know the risk but you don't want to think about it, right? If that situation was affecting my life at home and the people around me, away from the rink and at the rink, then I think that's when I sit down and sort of reevaluate. Until that time I think you kind of deal with the blows or the situation at hand."

The deal is worth $600,000 at the NHL level or $150,000 in the AHL. "Derek is a skilled, playmaking center," GM Ron Francis said. "He's taken a bit of an unconventional path, but has earned a chance to play professionally in North America after having success at every level in Europe. We're excited that he chose our organization." He was the Swedish Hockey League's most valuable player and top forward in 2014-15 after he generated 15 goals and 45 assists in 55 games for Orebro.

According to Carolina's Executive VP and General Manager Ron Francis, Eric Staal wants to remain in the organization.

"I’ve had general, open and honest conversations with Eric’s agent, and we’ll continue to have those as we move through the summer," Francis said. "Eric has indicated that he wants to be part of the Hurricanes moving forward, so we’ll see if we can get that worked out."

Do not be surprised if the Carolina Hurricanes deal Jeff Skinner on the weekend.

The Hurricanes did not deal the winger on Friday as many thought would happen but with the NHL draft concluding on Saturday with rounds 2-7, Skinner could still be on the move as Carolina will move the last four seasons of his contract that will take up $5.735 million per season of their salary cap. Skinner is a scorer but has had a history of concussions in the last few seasons.

The Carolina Hurricanes have signed T.J. Hensick to a one-year/two-way contract.

Hensick spent the entire 2014-15 season with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL and he has not seen the ice on an NHL rink since the 2010-11 season when he played 13 games with the St. Louis Blues. The 29-year-old should suit up with Charlotte of the AHL this season.

Lindholm sits third in goals on the Hurricanes as he trails Eric Staal by five and Jeff Skinner by only one. Lindholm is sitting at 39 points with a minus-18 rating. The good news is that Lindholm is only 20 and has 15 power play points. He is only going to get better.

He will make $875,000 next season and $950,000 in 2016-17. Nestrasil produced seven goals and 13 assists in 54 games with the Detroit Red Wings and the Hurricanes last campaign. "Andrej is a big body and a good fit for our team and what we're trying to do," GM Ron Francis said in a statement. "He battled an injury last season, but proved he could produce offensively on the NHL level."

Zach Boychuk has inked a one-year, two-way deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Boychuk can earn $600,000 at the NHL level, but he's guaranteed to make at least $250,000 in 2015-16. "This will be Zach's eighth season in our organization," said Hurricanes GM Ron Francis. "He's a reliable depth forward who we know is capable of contributing offensively at either level." He had three goals and six points in 31 games with the Hurricanes last season. Boychuk also recorded 24 points in 39 AHL contests.

Justin Faulk will be headed to the World Hockey Championships to represent Team USA for the first time as an NHL'er.

I say as an NHL'er because Faulk has 190 career games wearing Team USA's sweater in some capacity as a junior from ages 16-20. Faulk, now 23 years old, is coming off a career season with 15 goals and 49 points while skating an average of 24:36 over all 82 games.

James Wisniewski is already familiar with some key personnel within the Carolina Hurricanes' organization.

Wisniewski previously played for head coach Bill Peters back when they were both with the AHL Rockford IceHogs in 2008-09. He also has known Hurricanes director of hockey operations Mike Vellucci for a long time. "He was my first coach in junior hockey and he coached me for three years in Plymouth," Wisniewski said. "We've stayed in touch, played golf together. He knows me as a player but also as a person. Coming to Carolina should be a good fit for for me." The Hurricanes acquired Wisniewski from Anaheim in exchange for Anton Khudobin.

The Carolina Hurricanes killed off four penalties on Friday and did not allow a shot on goal.

Yes, we do know that the Hurricanes played the offensively-lacking Maple Leafs but this was still quite an accomplishment as Toronto is tied for sixth in the NHL in power play shots on goal. "We got better defensively as it went," defenseman Ron Hainsey said. "The first period we spent a little too much time in our zone. We would have liked to have possessed it more but they're playing a little more of defensive style and make it a lot harder to create. They're not trading chances as they were previously and it was more of a grinding, not-a-lot-of-room kind of game."

Ryan Murphy will tag in for Danny Biega for Tuesday night's match with the Detroit Red Wings.

Biega has had a nice beginning to his NHL career through 10 games, posting a pair of assists, seven blocks, and 27 hits from the blue line. Murphy returns after missing Monday's game with the Sabres. He's posted three goals, 12 points, 18 hits, and 34 blocks through 34 games this season.

John-Michael Liles had a team-high six shots on goal in the Hurricanes’ 2-0 loss to the Red Wings on Saturday night.

Liles ended with a minus-one rating and four blocked shots in 18:34. On the year, Liles possessed some sneaky value for depth leaguers with 22 points in 57 games. Nathan Gerbe and Justin Faulk each had five shots on net.

Carolina Hurricanes' General Manager Ron Francis would like to see Noah Hanifin start the season in the NHL, but he won't rush the player's development if he isn't ready.

"We don't want to force him in there if he's not ready," said Francis. "We'll give him time to develop. I'm certainly not ruling it out, but we want to be careful and make sure we do what's right for Noah." Carolina selected Hanifin with the fifth overall pick in this June's Entry Draft, but with slim odds of making the playoffs, it would be wise for Hanifin to start the season in the AHL if he isn't ready for NHL action just yet.

Michal Jordan has signed a one-year contract with Carolina worth $625,000.

"Michal took great strides last season, and continued that progress when he represented his home country as it hosted the World Championship," said GM Ron Francis. "He's still a young defenseman, and we expect him to continue to improve going forward." He dressed in 38 games with the Hurricanes in 2014-15 and he registered six points.

It appears that Cam Ward and the Carolina Hurricanes are working on a contract extension.

Ward is entering the final year of his six-year, $37.8M contract which brings a $6.3M cap hit. It's unclear what Ward is seeking in his extension, but the 31-year-old netminder's play has been slipping the last few seasons. So the news an extension is being worked on comes as a bit of a surprise.

The Hurricanes acquired Lack from the Canucks on draft day. "Carolina really wanted me," Lack said on a conference call. "It’s a great opportunity for me, and I’m really excited. I matured as a person. From a goaltending standpoint, I feel like I’ve gotten so much better. To be honest, I still feel like I have a lot to give. I feel like I’m two or three years away from my prime. I’m never satisfied. I keep pushing forward, and that’s what’s going to help me in the long run."